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WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS AND NO MOUNTAIN SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CLIMBING UNTIL THE CLIMBING SEASON *CLICK HERE TO LINK TO OFF-SEASON CLIMBING INFORMATION*
Climb Mt. Fuji Welcome to the Climb Mt. Fuji Page of Fujiyoshida City's website. There is a native English speaker on staff to provide support and assistance. Please contact Mr. Robin Lawrentz (email) or (0555-24-1236) or (+81) 555-24-1236 if you are calling from overseas with questions regarding climbing Mt. Fuji (via the Yoshida Trail) for travel assistance. Please remember that Mt. Fuji is considered a sacred mountain to the people and culture of Japan. Your consideration and respect for the mountain and its inhabitants will be very much noticed and appreciated. Link to: Climbing Mt. Fuji Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Important Climbing Information Climbing Safety A report issued in March 2011 by the Ministry of the Environment pointed out that 28% of first-time Mt. Fuji climbers go ahead with the dangerous “two-day and no-night” climbing which we call “弾丸登山”（Dangan-Tozan : literally means “Bullet Climbing”). This number is drastically higher for foreign climbers. Climbing the mountain without proper preparation and rest could lead to serious accidents or death. Gear up well and obtain proper information before you start climbing. Please refer to the REIHO FUJI - 2012 CLIMBING EDITION for comprehensive climbing information. The Climb
The iconic journey along the Yoshida Climbing Trail has inspired climbers for well over a thousands years. Although the meaning and methods of the climb have drastically changed since its roots as a religious pilgramage, the challenge and triumphs will forever remain. Awaiting climbers at the summit is the long anticipated and well deserved moment of joy and accomplishment. Standing high above the mortal world is an experience that will resonate throughout a lifetime; especially for those fortunate enough to see the magnificent sunrise. Mt. Fuji is the most climbed mountain in the world. It's sheer mass and stature command great respect from everyone that stand witness to it. At 3776m (12,388ft), Mt. Fuji is one of the highest single standing mountains in the world and is home to natural forces that have a swift way of overwhelming things like pride and ambition. That being said, people of all ages and backgrounds complete the climb. In fact, about 30% of all climbers are foreigners. Compared to climbing most mountains this size, Mt. Fuji doesn't require mountaineering ability or equipment, and bus service allows people to start at treeline. But, this endeavor is often underestimated and done without proper preparation - causing great strain on emergengy and first-aid services. Even if starting at the 5th Station, climbers must relentlessly climb about 1500m (4900ft) over 6km (3.7mi) to reach the summit....then make the trek back. To compound this difficult task, it's often done through the night by unacclimated and travel weary people with heavy loads and grossly lacking physical ability. Simply knowing one's capabilities and how it may stack up against the act of mountain climbing would save countless people the associated time, money, hassle, and health risks. Click Here To Access a List of the Most Common Climbing Mt. Fuji Questions and Answers.
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The “Yoshida Route” is the largest climbing trail on Mt. Fuji with the most services and mountain huts. Each year, over 200,000 people climb this route; which constitutes about 60% of the total amount of Mt. Fuji climbers. This is the most accessible trail from the Tokyo metropolitan area. The trail is not technical, but it is steep and loose - requiring handholds at times. In the peak of the climbing season (August 4th-15th) the number of climbers on the Yoshida Route can average over 8000 people a day. Official Climbing Season is from July 1st through August 31st. The top portions of the trail are often covered in snow right up until the trail opens on July 1st. In fact, crews are often dispatched to remove snow in order to open the trail. Climbing into the first couple weeks of September is certainly possible. Although a lot of the bus service stops, many of the huts remain open and the conditions are generally safe. Of course, conditions could become dangerous so we strongly discourage climbing outside of July and August, especially without climbing companions. Off-season climbing claims the lives of even highly experienced alpinist every year. |
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Mountain Huts Climbing FAQ Trail Map (w/huts) Climbing Buses Summit Weather Climbing Plans
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The original Yoshida Climbing Route starts from the Fuji Sengen Shrine, where the pilgrims of over 500 years ago came to pray before they started their climb up the sacred mountain. Today, traditionalists claim that the only way to climb Mt. Fuji is from the Fuji Sengen Shrine. The climb from the Sengen Shrine takes about 15-20 hours round-trip, so staying at a mountain hut is common. Bus service from Mt. Fuji Station (formerly Fujiyoshida Station) is available to the Fuji Sengen Shrine. The service continues up the road to Naka-no-Chaya and Umagaeshi, saving one to two hours of hiking respectively. There has been a surge of people starting their climb from Umagaeshi because it provides a much more historical climbing experience. Umagaeshi is located just below the 1st Station. This is a beautiful hike that meanders through a hushed forest full of centuries of marked history. It provides a much different climbing experience than starting from the 5th Station. The climb from Umagaeshi to the 5th Station takes about 2.5 hours. Click here for bus information to the Fuji Sengen Jinja, Naka-no-Chaya, and Umagaeshi. Also, click on the Yoshida Climbing Map to the right for trail information from the base. |
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The Fuji Subaru Toll-Road provides vehicle access to the 5th Station, cutting the traditional climb in half. Most climbers choose to climb Mt. Fuji from the 5th Station. The hike from the 5th Station to the summit takes approximately 5-7 hours depending on one’s pace. Many climbers start late in the evening (7-10pm) and climb through the night to reach the summit in time to see the sunrise (goraiko). Many bottlenecks are created due to the crowds, making it difficult for climbers to climb at a faster pace along various parts of the trial. The hike back down to the 5th Station takes about 3-4 hours. Please know that the ascending and descending trails are separate [map]. There are no services available on the descending trail, so please prepare enough drinking water. |
The Fuji Subaru Line, which runs from the town of Fujii-Kawaguchiko to the 5th Station, is closed to private vehicles from July 12th-15th, 26th-28th, and again from August 2nd to the 25th for the peak climbing season. This is a drastic increase from previous years. It amounts to 31 days in 2013. During this time, extra buses are available from the Fuji Hokuroku Parking Lot, Mt. Fuji Station, and Kawaguchiko Station. See access map here. The cost for a regular car to travel up the road is 2000yen, which includes parking fees. The road is open throughout most of the year, weather permitting. (Japanese website.) Bus service from the base area (Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko) runs daily throughout the climbing season and frequently during the spring and fall. The fastest and easiest way to access the 5th Station from Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) is via the direct highway bus. Click here for current bus service information. This service is available during the climbing season and only on weekends for most of the spring and fall. Hiring a taxi is another option. Taxis provide more flexibility and days of access, but they are expensive. Prices range, but typically run at about 12,000yen one-way. If you're traveling with a group that could split the fare, this could be a viable option. Hotel and Hostel Staff, Tourist Information Centers, or Fujiyoshida City Hall could assist in arranging this service. |
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